Dr. JIM SURRELL

The following information about heart disease in the United States is from our USA National Institutes of Health, referred to as the NIH. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for men and women in the USA. The NIH Division of Cardiovascular Sciences supports research to advance our understanding and interventions for promoting heart and vascular health throughout our nation. It also supports research aimed at preventing and treating pediatric and adult cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks, heart failure, stroke, and congenital heart disease.

In addition, this NIH Division of Cardiovascular Sciences supports the development of innovative technologies to diagnose, prevent, and treat cardiovascular disease. The NIH also offers research training and career development for investigators in cardiovascular sciences to promote significant heart disease research discoveries.

As noted above, heart disease is the most common cause of death in the USA, with nearly 700,000 people dying from heart disease every year. Overall, heart disease is the number one killer of both women and men in the United States. Therefore, it is essential to be aware that there are specific lifestyle choices that we all can make to dramatically decrease our personal risk of heart disease.

So, what is meant by the medical term, Coronary Heart Disease, or CHD? CHD is that disease in which plaque builds up on the inner walls of your coronary arteries. These arteries carry the red blood cells to deliver life-sustaining oxygen to our heart. When plaque builds up in the arteries, this is called atherosclerosis. The plaque that can block our arteries is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances. Over time, plaque can narrow the coronary arteries and reduce the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart. If the plaque ruptures, a blood clot can form and block blood flow to the heart, and this is the most common cause of a heart attack.

It is reported that heart disease symptoms in women vary somewhat from the typical chest pain seen in men with heart disease. A woman with heart disease may have no symptoms, but many women experience angina as a sharp chest pain or discomfort, pain in the neck, jaw, throat, or pain in the upper abdomen or in their back. These may occur during rest, begin during physical activity, or be triggered by mental stress. A woman may believe her symptoms are related to excess stomach acid leading to heartburn, and it is extremely important to be certain that her pain is not coming from heart disease.

The three key risk factors for heart disease in both women and men include the following: 1. Untreated high blood pressure, 2. Untreated high cholesterol, and 3. Cigarette smoking. About half of Americans have at least one of these three risk factors. The following six items are very unhealthy lifestyle choices that will put people at a higher risk for heart disease: 1. Smoking, 2. Uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes, 3. Overweight and Obesity, 4. Lack of exercise and physical inactivity, 5. Alcohol abuse with more that two drinks every day, and 6. Not seeing your health care provider for heart disease screening.

The following basic suggestions will allow a person to significantly reduce their risk of heart disease. Control your blood pressure. High blood pressure often has no symptoms so have your blood pressure checked regularly. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether you should be tested for Type Two Diabetes. Having uncontrolled diabetes will also substantially raise your risk of heart disease. Absolutely quit smoking, and be very certain to avoid any and all second-hand smoke. Check your cholesterol and triglycerides with your healthcare provider. Control your body weight because being overweight or obese increases the risk of heart disease. Limit your alcohol intake and avoid alcohol abuse. Lower your stress level and find healthy ways to cope with any stress. By making the above healthy lifestyle choices, you will substantially reduce your risk of heart disease.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Jim Surrell is the author of the best-selling SOS (Stop Only Sugar) Diet book and his new Joke Book, entitled “Laughter Is Good Medicine”. Dr. Jim’s website is sosdietbook.com.